Bob May, who operated The Robot in the original Irwin Allen series "Lost in Space" passed away in Lancaster, CA on January 18. He was uncredited on the original series and Dick Tufield supplied the voice.

Even as kids, we knew Lost in Space could be very cheesy, yet we never missed an episode if we could avoid it. The Robot was a very comforting presence in that show. Although we could never figure out why his parents sent Will out alone with Dr. Smith time and again, you knew The Robot would do its best to protect him.

I just thought May should be remembered.

Bob May, who operated The Robot in the original Irwin Allen series "Lost in Space" passed away in Lancaster, CA on January 18. He was uncredited on the original series and Dick Tufield supplied the voice.

Even as kids, we knew Lost in Space could be very cheesy, yet we never missed an episode if we could avoid it. The Robot was a very comforting presence in that show. Although we could never figure out why his parents sent Will out alone with Dr. Smith time and again, you knew The Robot would do its best to protect him.

I just thought May should be remembered.

You're right, Mick. All performers who worked hard should be remembered. But...

LOST IN SPACE was =damn= weak. Maybe a monstrous parody of tv sf?:dontknow:quigglemouth:

Whew! At first glance I thought you meant Billy Mays. What would we do without him?

Whew! At first glance I thought you meant Billy May. What would we do without him?

Yeah, I had no idea how espn360.com worked until I saw him explain it. The secret was in that mysterious internet connection.

I thought fpw meant the Big Band leader (who I think is dead) - are you talking about the pitchman? I thought he was Billy Mays...I'm confused now.

I thought fpw meant the Big Band leader (who I think is dead) - are you talking about the pitchman? I thought he was Billy Mays...I'm confused now.

Oh, he's Mays with an 's', eh? Oops. You'd think as loud as he talks in those commercials, that would have been tattooed on my brain. I thought FPW was being very sarcastic. I do not know Billy May the bandleader. I didn't know Bob May either, at least by name. Loved Lost in Space though.

I meant Billy Mays, the pitchman. I went back and fixed it. (I need to read before I hit "submit.") (Still looking for places to use my Mighty Putty.)

I read an interview that someone from the show had given to "Starlog" magazine about 10-15 years ago, saying that when the cast and crew took a lunch break, Bob May would stay INSIDE the robot outfit to eat the lunch that his wife had made him, he had a lunch pail that he kept in there with him, and the inside of the suit had a few little "shelves" where he could store stuff, and he was totally happy just to remain inside there! I would have thought that it would be hot as hell in there, what with those studio lights, but he seems to have worked that out. Somewhere I saw a photo of his head sticking out of the robot body, and he had a totally black face, covered with black makeup, so he could peek out, and nobody could see him!
It was a truely amazing outfit!

I read an interview that someone from the show had given to "Starlog" magazine about 10-15 years ago, saying that when the cast and crew took a lunch break, Bob May would stay INSIDE the robot outfit to eat the lunch that his wife had made him, he had a lunch pail that he kept in there with him, and the inside of the suit had a few little "shelves" where he could store stuff, and he was totally happy just to remain inside there! I would have thought that it would be hot as hell in there, what with those studio lights, but he seems to have worked that out. Somewhere I saw a photo of his head sticking out of the robot body, and he had a totally black face, covered with black makeup, so he could peek out, and nobody could see him!
It was a truely amazing outfit!

Wow. I guess the robot was his workplace. Like some people in an office who really personalize their cubicle and make it "their" place, as opposed to those who can't wait to bolt out. Or George Costanza making the little bed under his desk in "Seinfeld".

Now Billy Mays (the pitchman) is gone. What's happening?!